Financial Controller (Biomanufacturing)

We are seeking a driven, technically sharp Financial Controller to join our finance department in Edmonton.

Reporting directly to the VP of Finance, the Controller will own the full accounting cycle, technical financial reporting, and complex compliance frameworks. This role is a critical addition to our department as we scale, with a primary focus on navigating nuanced accounting areas and establishing the robust internal controls required to make the company fully audit-ready by 2027.

This role does not have direct staff management duties, allowing you to focus deeply on technical excellence while serving as a financial mentor to the broader operational team.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Financial Reporting & ASPE Compliance

• Oversee the full-cycle accounting process, ensuring strict adherence to ASPE standards.
• Manage the month-end and year-end close processes, producing accurate and timely financial statements.
• Navigate accounting treatments unique to our operations, including inventory accounting valuations (interfacing with our custom MRP system) and blended manufacturing/service revenue recognition.

Audit Readiness

• Lead the build-out of structured working papers, clear reconciliation schedules, and meticulous audit trails.
• Design, implement, and document internal controls and standardized workflows across the department to transition the company smoothly into its first formal audit.

Grant Management

• Take ownership of grant tracking, financial compliance, and reporting for large-scale, ad-hoc, and multi-year programs (e.g., IRAP, Emission Reductions Alberta, etc.).
• Ensure all funder guidelines are strictly met, maximizing non-dilutive funding while mitigating clawback risks.
• Assist the team with new grant applications.

Team Mentorship & System Optimization

• Act as a technical accounting resource to the broader operational and cross-functional teams.
• Optimize workflows between our cloud accounting ecosystem (Xero) and our proprietary MRP software to ensure data integrity.

Inventory & Costing

• Take ownership of cost accounting functions, including tracking inventory valuation (raw materials, WIP, finished goods), reviewing batch/project costing, and analyzing production cost variances.

About you

• Designation: CPA Designation held, or actively pursuing/near completion (e.g., successfully written the CFE and completing practical hours).
• Experience: 3–5 years of progressive corporate accounting or public practice audit experience. Experience in manufacturing, inventory management, or lab/biotech environments would be an asset.
• Technical Standards: Strong foundational knowledge of ASPE and Audit.
• Systems Tech: Experience with Xero (or similar cloud systems like QBO) and familiarity with MRP/ERP inventory systems. High proficiency in Excel is required.
• Grant Capability: Comfort reading complex legal/funding agreements and translating them into compliant financial tracking models in a dynamic environment.
• Soft Skills: Exceptional communication skills with an innate ability to explain financial concepts to non-finance operational staff; a proactive builder mindset.